According to Mirza, there was a recent change in government in Pakistan, and the decision to close hunting in the Punjab apparently was made while the position for director of Wildlife and Parks there was vacant. Mirza says he has since spoken with the new director, who was just getting settled into his office. After making a case for continuing urial hunting as a way to support conservation and local communities, Mirza says the director has agreed to a meeting sometime this month to discuss the possibility of allowing continued hunting for urial. Due to political changes in the country, it may be some time before the situation is a clear, says Mirza. I will advise you once I know. Hunting in Punjab usually begins in December. Hunting in other areas of Pakistan is unaffected.
........(continued)
